User:Jmoinian/Valatine

Once again the New Year had come and with it a New Valentine is approaching. The big greeting card companies as well as retails are advertising to buy a Diamond for your Sweetheart and make that special one happy with a reservation on such and such big restaurant name and surprise her by sending dozens of roses to her door step. Retails have always have plans for your valets. But do you really know what Valentine is? Let’s shine some lights on this important matter.

Valentine was a Christian Priest whom lived during Claudius II on the third century A.D. These were thought times for Christians since they were consider traitor. Emperor of Rome was against anyone whom was worshiping some other entity. Many Christians suffered unbearable torture and death. Valentine and his fellow believers met secretly in different places including caves. The legend has it that Valentine sent heart shape cart cut out of parchment to comfort the unfortunate imprisoned Christians.

Emperor Claudius was a selfish man; he banned marriage among his soldiers. Claudius believed that his soldiers have to have one devotion ant that was only him. Married soldiers will have his devotion reduced because of wife and children. So, Valentine performed the hold marriage vow in secret. When Claudius found out about this great importance became so outraged that he declared Valentine an enemy of state. By the order of empire Valentine was arrested and thrown into the horrible jail for years.

One day the good priest was dragged before the Roman emperor Claudius. The charge of being good Christian was accepted by the devoted priest. Claudius was very curious by now. So, he asked the priest to speak about his Christian beliefs. The good Priests knowledge won the admiration of Claudius. But Valentine hurried to convert Claudius to Christianity which made the king very furious. Valentine advised Claudius to give up the false goods made of woods and stones and worship the one true God. Everyone at the king’s palace was outraged. The senators condemned Valentine to death. Claudius whom was impressed by Valentine spared his life by turning him over to his trusted lieutenant Asterius. He ordered Asterious to force Valentine renounce his beliefs in true one God, and worships the Roman goods. The lieutenant took Valentine to his home and showered him with kindness. But neither kindness nor harsh treatments changed Valentine’s belief in true God.

In Asterius household Valentine encountered the young daughter of Asterius whom was blind from both eyes. Astrerius told the good priest of many visits to Apollo temple. All the prayers and all the trips to different shrine were no use. Her eye sight was not restored. Valentine asked Asterius persmission to resotre his daughter’s eye sights. At first Asterius pleaded to Valentine not to expose his daughter to another disappointment. At the end Asterius gave in and with the permission of Asterius the prayer begun.” A light filled the room, and the young lady was given the gift of sight.”

The girl’s father was stunned; he was convinced the Valentine’s true God is more powerful and mighty than Roman God. Asterious, his family, as well as his slaves were baptized by St. Valentine. The news of Asterious bet real of Roman god reached Claudius. He sentenced Asterieus and his entire household including St. Valentine to death.

On February 14TH around the year 270 A.D. St. Valentine was taken outside the city to the Flaminian Gate. There he was beheaded and buried. Ever since then the name of the Gate changed to Valentine’s Gate; an unknown person planted an almond tree, a symbol of love and friendship near Valentines’ grave. The almond tree blooms’ every year on February 14T; to cherish the memory of a great saint lets remember him on Valentines Day.